KUOW News Podcast

Conflict is brewing in Anacortes over what could be one of the country's largest water bottling plants. As KUOW's Sara Lerner reports, the Anacortes City Council is expected to vote tonight on a key piece in the process to bring in a huge new manufacturing facility.

The plan for an NBA arena in Sodo is expected to advance at the Seattle City Council Monday. City councilmembers negotiated this version of the deal with Chris Hansen, the hedge–fund manager who proposes building the arena and buying an NBA team. Amy Radil reports.

Across the Northwest, Latinos make up nearly 12 percent of the population, but only 2 percent of the region's elected officials. Salem correspondent Chris Lehman looks at some of the reasons for that gap.

Just in time for open enrollment season — insurance companies are required to explain health benefits in plain language. As KUOW's Ruby de Luna explains, the new requirement is part of the Affordable Care Act that takes effect this week.

It's on Washington's November ballot. It's also before the state's highest court. We're talking about the question of whether to require a two–thirds vote of the legislature to raise taxes. Oral arguments are scheduled this week in a constitutional challenge to the supermajority threshold. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins has this preview.

Pacific Northwest Ballet opens its 40th season Friday night. In four decades, PNB has evolved from a small adjunct to Seattle Opera, into one of America's most respected ballet companies. PNB has 44 dancers, a professional training program, and a permanent home at Seattle Center. Now PNB's leaders are trying to balance the company's artistic legacy with the need to push ballet in new directions.

A Tacoma man who was imprisoned in Nicaragua for almost two years says he cannot describe how it feels to be reunited with his whole family. Jason Puracal is now back in the Pacific Northwest after being released from prison last week.

In the wake of a US Justice Department investigation, Seattle officials are implementing a plan to reform the police department. And civil rights attorney Connie Rice says she's going to help Seattle officials as an advisor, although she hasn't yet signed a formal contract.

Seattle Public Schools officials have determined the result of a confusing school board vote Wednesday night. As KUOW's Ann Dornfeld reports, the board wasn't clear about whether it had voted to hire a Teach for America teacher or not.

The Lummi Nation in northwestern Washington is about to join other native people in the region who oppose plans to export coal through the Pacific Northwest.

Election year tensions erupted at Washington's latest quarterly revenue forecast. At the center of the partisan flare–up Wednesday was former Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi. He's been appointed to finish out a vacancy in the Washington Senate.

The Seattle School Board has voted on the hire of a Teach for America teacher at Franklin High School. But as KUOW's Ann Dornfeld reports, there's confusion over whether the board voted in favor of the hire or against it.

Forbes magazine released its list of the 400 wealthiest Americans Wednesday. Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates has once again topped the list of America's richest people. KUOW's John Ryan reports.

The job duties for Washington's Secretary of State range from oversight of elections to the state historical archives. Two candidates vying for the position squared off Tuesday in a Seattle City Club debate. KUOW's Liz Jones has some highlights.

A group of San Juan Island residents are asking for assurances that a new hospital opening in November will not restrict women's health care services — that includes providing birth control and performing abortions. KUOW's Ruby de Luna reports.